JUANMA LOPEZ -- GERRY PE?ALOSA?S ACID TEST
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 06 Feb 2009
Geronimo "Gerry" Pe?alosa was able to hold two world championship belts, the WBC super flyweight and the WBO bantamweight titles. The San Carlos City native is considered an excellent defensive boxer and counter-puncher. According to coach Freddie Roach, Gerry is the best technical boxer that emerged from the Philippines as evidenced by his exceptional intelligence and excellent footwork.
A tune-up non-title fight against Mexican German Meraz will be held on February 21 at the Cebu Coliseum. But his real acid test will be his encounter with Juan Manuel ?Juanma? Lopez this coming April 24.
Lopez had a vast experience as an amateur boxer representing Puerto Rico in several international contests including the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games, 2003 Pan American Games and the 2004 Athens Olympics.
As a professional he won his first nine fights by knockout before winning his first fight by decision. On September 30, 2006 he defeated Jose Alonso to win the WBO Latino super bantamweight championship.
On June 7, 2008, Lopez fought in his first world championship match when he challenged Daniel Ponce de Leon for the World Boxing Organization's super bantamweight title. He won by technical knockout in the first round, when the referee stopped the fight after Ponce de Leon failed to react after two consecutive knockdowns.
Lopez's first defense was against Cesar Figueroa and it took place on October 4, 2008. The fight lasted only 47 seconds, Lopez connected a combination that left Figueroa unconscious. This marked the fifth fastest knockout victory in a title fight, beating Mike Tyson's win over Michael Spinks.
Two days after this fight, Bob Arum confirmed that Lopez would be featured as undercard of "The Dream Match,? the fight between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya in the main event.
Sergio Manuel Medina, who at the moment was ranked fourth by the WBO, was ultimately selected as the adversary for the event scheduled on December 6, 2008. The fight lasted 1:38, being stopped by the referee in the first round, when Medina succumbed to three consecutive knockdowns.
According to Compubox, Medina was only able to land one punch in six attempts and Lopez was aggressive and was full in control of the fight. In acknowledgment of his outstanding performance in 2008, Lopez received numerous recognitions including "Athlete of the Year" awards from Primera Hora and the Museo del Deporte de Puerto Rico.
It will be an interesting fight between a knockout artist and a fighter who has never been knocked down in his entire career. No less than Vice Gov. Manny Pi?ol, the promoter of Gerry?s tune-up fight in Cebu, sees Gerry as a heavy underdog. The Fearless is hoping to win his third world title in the sunset of his colorful career, hoping a big upset victory, banking on his sheer durability and awesome techniques.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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